AHHH...home at last!

We had a long, but great time at the beach...there were a few situations (which my mom would refer to as "too much togetherness") that made me want to jump off the roof, but all in all it was not too bad. I did manage to sunburn the tops of my feet bad enough that I could not wear shoes for the entire week and had to take Tylenol every four hours just to walk, but since I am a southern gal and more comfy barefoot than shod it was not too much of a sacrifice. I knit fish while the kiddos played in the water (cold, cold water!) and my total fish count is up to 18! I am no where near Knitty McPurlypants and her whopping 80+ fish, but she is inspiring!

I also made it to the end of the first long boring chart of my Icarus Shawl. The end is in sight, but I had yarn waiting on me when I got home and I immediately cast on for Rusted Root. I am using the recommended yarn, my color is 'Harvest'. I really think the yarn is a bit splitty, but it feels nice and knits up nice and even. I think Icarus will be on hold until I crank out this baby! I have loved it since the moment I saw it and can't wait to wear it! I managed to knit this much last night while watching Hero- a great movie, but reading subtitles and a knitting pattern at the same time means slow knitting for me.

Also waiting at home was a little swap package from Steph. I commented on a pretty cami she made that was too small for her and she offered to send it to me...we decided to do a little swap and not only did she send me the cami, but an awesome zippered pouch as well! No more knitting notions in ziploc baggies! yay! (Photo courtesy of the Boy Wonder) Thank you so much Steph, the cami fits great ( I have had it on all day!) and the pouch is just what I needed! I bow to your awesome sewing skills!

Here are a few of my favorite pics from our trip to Sunset Beach, in my opinion the best beach in NC. The beach is very clean and quiet and the sand stretches for miles...
Here are the kids at the Kindred Spirit mailbox on Bird Island...No, we neither went nude or saw the 'nuddies' as my MIL calls them. The kids and I walked to the end of the island for a picnic on The Girl Wonder's 11th birthday. We left our mark in one of the notebooks within. We had a great time together enjoying nature- both of the kids found sand dollars, sea snails and
this little crab
Here is their little cousin swimming on the beach

and the Boy Wonder saluting the flag on the USS North Carolina
(I have no idea what Blogger has done to my photos to make them look so fuzzy. Any ideas?)

FO!

but I am afraid it must remain a mystery until June... I finally finished my submission to Magknits which I have named "Lemonade". Well, the knitting portion of my submission...I still have to block and weave in many loose ends, but I am saving that tedious chore for the ride to the beach tomorrow. My son went last week with his grandparents (The Gaming One's M&P) and the Girl Wonder and I are leaving tomorrow to join them for the next week. It has been so quiet around here with just the older one here. She was at her Dad's house Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I had the entire quiet house to myself- a mama's dream, no kids and no husband for a few sweet days. The Girl Wonder has really spoiled me while she was here by letting me sleep late and making me coffee before she wakes me and generally being easy to please.

One thing I have noticed about myself where finishing knits are concerned- I suffer from a period of sadness after the knit is complete. I delayed this feeling with "Lemonade" by finding reasons not to finish it. I made a little crafty item for a swap I am doing with Steph but I will have to blog about that after she has received. I read blogs, surfed the web... I took over 6 hours to knit one row of the collar and bind off. As soon as I was finished, I found the long ago abandoned Icarus Shawl and started knitting away. I have about 10 more rows of the stockinette section before I can start the next chart. I am so ready to move on to a more challenging section. I will not subject you to another shrunken lace picture...lace is so pitiful before blocking.

The Girl Wonder and I took a walk yesterday and I came to an almost sickening conclusion- to passersby we do not look like mother and daughter... While this is great for my own ego, it scares the hell out of the Mama in me. She and I are the same height and weight, she has long blond hair and mine is dark brown. She is very mature for her age so she comes across as much older than she is. To make matters worse we live near a college campus and walk there often. Where there is a college campus there are dirty men yelling crude things out the window to the girls walking by. A carload of such dirty men passed us yesterday...after they slowed down the car to check us out and yell 'hey ladies' my blood started to boil. I turned to my daughter and said, "Sweetie, don't be surprised if you hear me yell "SHE IS ONLY 11 YOU PERVERT!" I told her I may even buy her a tee-shirt that says, "Quit staring. I'm 11" or "look at me again and BOTH my daddies will kick your ass". ack...I really am not ready for this...at least she is not interested in boys yet... God help the poor guy that checks her out within view of her dad or step-dad...that will be a very bad day indeed.

I don't know if I will be able to post during my time at the beach, but I will be back by next Friday!

fiddling with the template

As (I hope) ya'll can see I have been updating my blog and trying to get used to the new blogger. I asked The Girl Wonder to draw me something for my blog header and and the above image is what she came up with! It is so awesome to get a custom header for free! Thanks sweetie!

If anything looks strange please leave me a comment so I can try to correct it. Thanks much!

The past few days I have been working on afghan squares for a quilt for a friend of Lara (Yarn It) that is coping with the loss of a child. Please stop by Lara's blog and help out if you have a hour and a bit of yarn...

I have also dusted off the Lovely Lacy Shawl that has been in time out since September and resumed work on it. I was trying to knit this shawl without a chart and the line by line directions were killing me, so I broke down and bought the book it was published in. After taking a look at the charts I was dismayed that they were so small. I was pissed and shoved the entire thing into my closet. Thank the patron saint of knitting I carefully took note of the row and stitch I was on as I abandoned it mid row. Full of myself and my recent knitting successes, I decided to not let it get the best of me and took it out of seclusion. I think something happened it the closet because those charts do not look so impossibly small to read anymore. I must say the knitting is going a lot quicker with the charts and it is much easier to keep my place and spot my mistakes!

Look for me in Magknits!

That's right, the design I have been working on has been accepted to be published in Magknits most likely in June! Here is a peek of what is to come! I think I am having great luck with yellow. First there was Sunshine, now this. Thanks again for all the encouragment!

Too late for Knitty...

But since I am determined and ya'll have been so supportive I decided to submit to Magknits for consideration. Thanks Andrea for the idea, I don't know why I did not think of it myself. I will have to wait another week to see if they will publish it or not, so any details have to remain secret until then.... As for waiting to submit to Knitty, if I waited to submit to them until next time my design will no longer be relevant to their theme... my submission is really a summer knit and the next Knitty submission is a call for cool weather knits.

good news/bad news

First the good news (two parts!)
part one: The Gaming One bought me/us a new digital camera so my knitting pics are going to kick ass! (if I can figure out how to work the camera *wink*)
part two: The sixth attempt at set-in sleeve construction actually fit the armhole!

Now for the bad news:
After sewing in the sixth attempted set-in sleeve I realized that the armhole is just a bit too snug for comfortable wear. When I say just a bit I mean less than an inch. Since there is neither time, money or extra arm padding to justify liposuction, I had to take out the sleeve seaming, undo the shoulder seams and add some length to both the front and the back. After all that (you guessed it- I have to reknit the sleeve...again).

I refuse to let this get the best of me. Even though I will not be able to submit this to Knitty, I refuse to leave it unfinished. I really love this design (although I might be a bit biased) and think I will wear it often.

Last night I asked The Girl Wonder if she thought I should just abandon the entire thing since there is no way I can actually meet my goal. Her response, "Wouldn't it just be a big waste of time if you gave up now?" That's my girl! It is hard to believe she is only ten (although she will be 11 in just a few short weeks).

Y'all can look forward to some awesome pics tomorrow (camera batteries have to charge) of my attempted Knitty submission.

Thanks for all the encouragement over the past few weeks- it is true that knitters are the best folks on earth! Y'all really have kept me focused and helped me at my lowest times!

Poor neglected blog...

I am really in denial about not being able to finish my knit for my intended submission to Knitty. The deadline is the 15th and I still have most of one sleeve, all of another and the collar to knit. Oh yeah, not to mention I have to type the pattern, calculate for larger sizes and take pictures. I have knit the first sleeve a total of 6 times now, tweaking each time to achieve the look I envision. I always do my best work when I wait until the last minute (I guess I work best under pressure), but as always, I am kicking myself for wasting so much time...I blame the internet and all y'all out there that have such interesting knitting blogs! Since I have last updated my sidebar I have found 17 blogs that I have saved to my favorites that I read every day or so. I am hoping to do a big blog update sometime soon as my sidebar is in need of major update. So if you happen to stop by my blog and would like me to stop by yours leave me a comment and I will be more than happy to add you to my list! I love all the new techniques and projects that I seem to come across on your blogs-not to mention the glimpse into your personal lives.

speaking of personal lives, I have decided that I do not want to cloud this blog with bitching and complaining arising from everyday life, so I have started a blog for all that. Check out Amanda had a bad day whenever you think you have it bad...

Support our troops!

If you have the time check out this great Craft auction to benefit our injured troops.

knit wear design...what your mama didn't tell ya

1. Calculating the circumference of an armscye to knit a sleeve cap to match requires much math...that I last attempted well over 10 years ago.

2. Attempting to design a sweater knit on size 3 needles with yarn that was previously used in another sweater knit on size 8 needles will result in a new sweater that is missing a sleeve and a collar.

3. Attempting to knit a sweater within 3 weeks with cotton yarn on size 3 needles results in shooting pains in the hands and wrists.

4. If you get the crazy idea that you would like to be a knitwear designer (but have no experience) and would like to submit a pattern to be published you should give yourself more than 6 weeks- especially if by 'you' I mean 'me' and I do.

I am learning a lot throughout this process, although I hit a major bump in the road when I realized today that there was no way in hell I would have enough yarn to finish this as imagined. I am going to see what I can do to change my design without re knitting the body of the garment. I guess this is the one thing that sucks about designing...how in the world do they (knitwear designers) figure out yardage needed? This is probably something learned in Design 101 but I am clueless.

speaking of supportive parents....

I went to see my folks (Mom and Step-dad) today and my Mom pulls me aside and puts $100 dollars in my hand and tells me, "I don't want money to be ever be the reason you do not develop your knitting talent." To which I respond by bursting into tears... Mom then tells me, "I didn't get you a card for just this reason! I didn't mean to make you cry!" Then my favorite BIL responds "You know, you have been emotional for weeks now, that happened to my brother when we were kids and he had parasites." Now I am convinced I have worms...

Secret Knitting

my post may be few and far between for the next couple of weeks. After much encouragement from my family I am trying my hand at submitting a pattern to Knitty. I would love to show y'all what I am working on as I am very excited about it, but will have to wait until it is either accepted or denied. It may lead to nowhere, but you never know-and I refuse to put myself in a situation where I can look back and regret not trying. I feel it is the next step in my knitting journey.
My step-dad is perhaps the most supportive of my knitting than anyone. He always gives me such wonderful complements on my knits, and brags to everyone that is in earshot "You know my daughter knit that herself! She is so talented!" and after seeing my Sunshine sweater he put his arm around me and looked me in the eye and said "If you keep this up, we are going to have a famous designer in the family." I don't know if he knows how motivating his comments are or how much they really mean to me. I am so fortunate to have someone in my life that is so supportive and motivating. So if only for myself and my step-dad I am going to give this a shot.

Yarny goodness, and a prize.

Sometime last week, the lovely and talented Lara was kindly liberating some of her stash for the cost of shipping! I was so happy to see this on her list because it is just georgous! The yarn is Himalayan Yarn Co. 60% wool and 40% silk. Two full hanks with 175 yds per hank and one is wound in a ball. Go check out the rest of her stash up for grabs.

I am planning to use this lovely yarn to knit the pattern I won in the Craftster knitting challenge. Jen over at Pieknits.com offered the pick of her patterns and I happily accepted Aileen as my prize. I hope to have enough yarn to knit it, as Aileen calls for about 400yds, but I am planning to buy a handle for it instead of knitting one...so we shall see!

Sunshine!

Sunshine won the first knitting challenge over on Craftster. Yes, I am very excited! Thanks to all y'all that voted! So in the spirit of sharing that is craftster here is the pattern for my entry. Although it is only written for one size, it is basically a top down raglan, with a lace panel on the sleeve, and picked up neckline and collar. With a few changes it can be knit to fit your measurements. There are notes in the pattern as to when to alter measurements. Both the body and the sleeves are knit in the round so there is only one seam to sew. Please leave me a comment if you are having trouble. Just send me an email and I will be glad to help you figure out how to make it based on your measurements (amandawynkoop at hotmail dot com). If you decide to knit this please let me know! I would love to see different versions of it!
Pictures are here.

size:
small (34" bust)
approximate finished body length:
24"
gauge:
5 stitches and 7 rows per inch - stockinette stitch on size 6 needle
materials:

• 3 skeins Caron Simply Soft, 100% Acrylic worsted weight yarn; 330 yards per 6 oz skein.
• US size 5 29-inch circular needle
• US size 5 double point needles-(I had to go down a needle size to get gauge on sleeves-sz 6 may work for you!)
• US size 6 29-inch circular needle
• US size 10.5 circular needle (this is for picking up stitches along either side of the neck, so straight needles can be used if you like-I just prefer circs.)
• Tapestry Needle
• 4 stitch markers of one color(A), 4 stitch markers of another color(B)
• 4 buttons (7/8" size)
• needle and thread

Garter Stitch Lace Pattern:
(when working flat)
Row 1-6: Knit across
Row 7 & 9: *YO, K2tog*
Row 8 & 10: *YO, P2tog*
Repeat these 10 rows for pattern.

(when working in the round)
Row 1 & 3 & 5: Knit across
Row 2 & 4 & 6: Purl across
Row 7 & 9: *YO, K2tog*
Row 8 & 10: *K2tog, YO*
Repeat these 10 rows for pattern.

BODY:
Using the long tail method, and size 6 needles, cast on 48 stitches. (Cast on more stitches if you are making a larger size.)
Purl first row placing markers (SM = sleeve markers, LM = lace inset markers) as follows:
p2, SM, p1, LM, p6, LM, p1, SM, p28, SM, p1, LM, p6, LM, p1, SM, p2.

(Make sure to read ahead so you catch all the "at the same time" instructions.)

Working back and forth in stockinette stitch (k the RS rows, p the WS rows) on each RS row, increase (kfb) in the first and last stitch on the needle, 2 times.
At the same time, on each RS row, increase (kfb) before and after each SM until raglan increase seam (measured on diagonal from shoulder to underarm) measures 10 inches.
At the same time, work the Garter Stitch Lace pattern over the 6 stitches between the LM. Make sure to work the "when working flat" portion of the lace pattern.

When raglan increase seam measures 10 inches (add 1/4 inch for each size up), divide the body from the sleeve stitches as follows: (RS row) knit across left front to first sleeve marker. Slip SM. Place sleeve stitches on scrap yarn slip the LMs as you come to them. Make a note of where you are in the Garter Lace Pattern. Remove second SM. Knit across back to next sleeve marker. Slip SM. Place sleeve stitches on scrap yarn and slip the LMs as you come to them. Remove last SM. Continue knitting to end. The SM now seperate the back from the front of the body of the sweater and will be used for waist shaping later.

Continue working body back and forth in stockinette stitch until neck to back measures 11.5 inches (this is the depth of the neckline- ideally you want this to fall below your bustline).

At the end of the next RS row, cast on 20 stitches. (If you are making a larger size cast on enough stitches so you have the same number of stitches for the front of your sweater as you do for the back.) Join to work the rest of the body in the round until work measures 19.5 inches.
At the same time, begin waist shaping when body from neck to back measures 12 inches (if you are making a different size add 1/4 inch for each larger size before beginning waist shaping) .

Waist Shaping:
Decrease: *Work to 3 stitches before next marker, SSK, k1, slip marker, k1, K2tog.* Repeat from * to * for other side. Work 1 inch.

Repeat waist shaping decrease with 1 inch of stockinette stitch in between three times.

Increase: *Work to 2 stitches before next marker, Kfb, k1, slip marker, k1, Kfb.* Repeat from * to * for other side. Work 1 inch.

Repeat waist shaping increase with 1 inch of stockinette stitch in between two times.

When work measures 19.5 inches (2.5 inches below your natural waist if you are making your own- waist shaping should be completed- switch to size 5 circs and work 2x2 ribbing for 4 inches. You may have to increase or decrease to adjust stitch count to be divisible by 4.

BO loosely. I used Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind off. (This involves the use of a tapestry needle with an extremely long tail of the yarn. It produces an extremely stretchy edge and is excellent for the top of socks. Using this long tail, pull the needle through two front loops as if to purl, then back through the first stitch as if to knit. Drop the first stitch off. Repeat to the end.) If you need a visual Knitty has a great tutorial, scroll down to the bottom of the page to see it.

SLEEVES:
Place sleeve stitches on size US 5 DPN's ( I used sz. 5 to make up for the difference in my gauge- you may find that you need to stitck with size 6 dpn.- Feel free to use your favorite method of knitting in the round). In the underarm gap, pick up and knit 2 stitches, PM, pick up and knit 2 stitches. (Pick up enough stitches to close gap in underarm and make it lay smooth). Knit sleeves in the round, continue working Garter Lace Pattern from where you left off. Remember to use the 'in the round' directions for working the Garter Lace Pattern.
At the same time, shape sleeves as follows:

Sleeve shaping:
Work sleeve decreases on the same round as Row 1 of the Garter Lace Pattern. (I began sleeve shaping 1.5 inches after joining sleeves to work in the round. You will want to work through the remaining rows of the Garter Stitch Lace pattern repeat that you left incomplete before switching to working in the round. Remember you want to decrease every time you come to row 1 of the Garter stitch lace.) Work to 3 stitches before marker, SSK, k1, slip marker, k1, K2tog. (Repeat sleeve decrease 8 times.)

Work sleeves until Garter Lace Insert is 22.5" inches from cast on edge. (If you are making a larger size or if you have long arms, work until sleeve -measured from underarm- is three inches shorter than your arm measurement.) Make sure you complete through row 10 of Garter Stitch Lace before beginning sleeve ribbing. You may need to adjust stitch count to be divisible by four to work 2x2 ribbing. Work 2x2 ribbing for4 inches. BO all stitches loosley. (Again I used Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind off.) Repeat for other sleeve.

Neckline Shaping:
Try on sweater. On the right side of the neck opening, mark the row that crosses your collarbone. This will be the top of the asymetrical neck. Mark the same row on the left side of the neck opening. (Mine happened to be 9 rows down.)

(With right side of sweater facing you, drape sweater across lap with neck opening to your left, BO edge to your right.) Starting at the first row on the right side of the neck with size US 10.5 needles pick up 1 stitch on every other row until you reach your collarbone marker. Make sure the number of stitches you pick up is divisible by two. Write down this number. Knit one row. Working back and forth complete two repeats of the Garter Stitch Lace pattern. Knit three rows. BO. (If you are making a larger size you may need to work more rows of the garter stitch lace. Just make sure your panels will overlap to button.)

(With right side of sweater facing you, drape sweater across lap with neck opening to your right, BO edge to your left.) Starting at the collarbone marker, pick up the same number of stitches as on the right side. Knit 6 rows. BO.

Carefully sew edges of collar pieces to neckline as follows: Overlap the last garter stitch row and BO row of each side of collar with the garter stitch lace panel on top. Pin together. Evenly pin the edge of the collar to the bottom of the neckline. Sew the edge of the collar to the bottom of the neckline making sure to sew the garter stitch lace panel on top of the garter stitch band.

Evenly space the buttons down the middle of the garter stitch band using the holes left by the YO's in the garter stitch lace as button holes. Sew on buttons.

Ribbed collar:
With size 5 needles, starting on the 6th row of the edge of the garter stitch lace panel, to the edge of the button band, evenly pick up 78 stitches (if you are knitting a larger size pick up more stitches divisible by 4 +2 ).
row 1:*P2, K2*
row 2:*K2, P2*
repeat these two rows for 4.5 inches. BO all stitches.

Weave in all loose ends. Toss in the washer and dryer. (Please make sure your fiber is washable if you used a different one than I did.) Wear and feel fabulous!

Calorimetry

Calorimetry was the perfect project to use the very first yarn I ever spun (grey) combined with a small skein of handspun (yellow) that The Girl Wonder bought for me on a trip to Charleston, SC with her Dad. As many have before me, I cast on fewer stitches- between 70 and 80 ( I cannot recall, as this was a little something to take my mind off this). I ended up stitching mine closed, so I would not have to sew on a button. I would rather seam a extra large man's sweater than sew on buttons.

I finally broke down and did the math to convert Twinkletoes into a wearable slipper for The Girl Wonder. I used the Universal sock pattern as a starting point, and used the original pattern as a guide. I should have them finished by the time The Girl Wonder returns from her Dad's house on Monday. I would model the first complete one, but my little 10 yo girl has bigger feet than I do...

I will blog in more depth about Sunshine (my entry in the 'One stitch to Rule them All' Craftster Challenge) in the days to come.

the power of knitbloggers

I have seen the great things y'all can do when you band together...and I need a little of that love right now. I am not asking for yarn, knitted things or money- right now my family and I just need your thoughts and prayers. My paternal Grandfather has had health problems for years. (Out of respect for his privacy I am not going to go into his medical history.) During the past few weeks he has gotten much worse and I am afraid he is losing his will to fight. He has requested a DNR order. He feels as if he is nothing but a burden to my Grandmother - his wife of more than 50 years. My heart is breaking for my Grandmother. She told me today that she really thinks this will be his last year with us. I really need to go see him, but cannot even think about him without bursting into tears. I do not know how I am going to face him without upsetting him because I know I will be a wreck. While I realize the death is a normal part of life I am having a hard time letting go- for my own selfish reasons. I want his suffering to end but cannot imagine this world without him. He was always such a strong man. It hurts so deeply to see this shell of a man he has been reduced to... to see the shame in his eyes for what he has become. He was and is a good man- full of love and kindness for his family and neighbors. Although he never was one to gush about his family or feelings, anyone could interpret his feelings simply by looking into his eyes. Some of my earliest childhood memories are following him in his vegetable garden picking beans, tomatoes, melons and cukes. I remember sitting on his knee while he cracked pecans from the trees that shaded his house each hot summer. I know I will never see a tomato on the vine or a freshly tilled garden without thinking of him.

Y'all I need strength. I feel like my Grandma and my Daddy and Brother are going to need someone to lean on through this. I feel this is my responsibility as the oldest granddaughter. So I am gonna need to lean on y'all a bit. I need some inner peace if I hope to calm the waves of emotion I am sure to encounter in the coming weeks. I know I am not the first person to have to go through this-but it is a first for me...and I am hurting.

I've been tagged...

By Lara of Yarn It to tell 5 secrets about myself. The rules are

• Get tagged
• List five things that have not been revealed on my blog
• Tag five other people

Ok...since the 100 things about me meme, five secrets are really hard... I think my real secrets may be a bit more than ya'll really want to know (also a bit more than I want on the web) but here ya go, some not too secret, secrets...

1. I have always wanted a tattoo but could not think of anything I would want forever. Currently I want this on my side.

2. I support this.

3. I am considering breast augmentation.

4. I am deathly afraid of the dentist.

5. I want to win this. So kindly go vote for my Sunshine!

That is all, and tag to anyone that has not already been tagged, just leave me a comment so I can read your secrets, too!

One stitch to rule them all!

additional pics for the knitting challenge over on Craftster. More info later (The Gaming One must game!)

Lela

I inherited this 401A Singer from my Great Grandmother, Lela. I have had it for years, and before that it sat at my Mom's house gathering dust. This past week I decided it was damn time it worked (partly due to the awesome quilt Steph made, but I digress) and took it to have a little much needed TLC. This machine is over 50 years old and let me tell ya'll it still sews like a champ. It seems to remember the miles of thread that has traveled through it before, and has given me no problems.

I have been sitting thinking of my dear grandmother as I sew, feeling connected to her as my fingers are just where hers where for so many years. Saying this woman was amazing would be an understatement. Sometime during the early 1940's, after the birth of her fourth child, her husband left her for another woman. He moved to California never to be seen again. My Great Grandmother never remarried, had no family that lived near and still managed to raise four small children all alone. I could not imagine what that must have been like. She mainly kept to herself and preferred not to talk of the past.

By the time I knew her she had a sewing addiction for sure. I remember her sewing storage room: A bare bulb hung from the ceiling illuminating an ironing board island surrounded by a sea of cloth and doll parts. The smell of moth balls wafting out of everything. There were closets so full of cloth you could not see the floor. Half finished dolls, patiently waiting for an arm or perhaps a face. Lela made hundreds of cloth dolls and I bet that every child that was supported by The Christian Children's Fund in the 70's - 90's has one of her dolls. She made them for less fortunate kids, the homeless. I would love to have one of those dolls now. I was amazed by that room, with all the different colors, prints, textures. How I wish she could have lived to see my interest in all things crafty.

She also made her own clothes. For some reason she always choose crazy polyester prints to make her matching pants suits. I don't think I ever saw her when she was not wearing polyester. Oh yeah, and she was mostly deaf. So it was always comical to have conversations with her. One I really remember between her and my oldest sister... Lela was well into her 80's at this time.
Sister: So did you have a good time in California?
Lela: Oh yes, we had lots of fun.
Sister: What did you do?
Lela: aye? (cupping her ear)
Sister: Did you go surfing?
Lela: yeah lots of times.

I can never smell peppermint without thinking of hers growing in her back yard garden. Ahhh....memories.

On the needles

Here are the first few fishies for my Tessellating fish afghan. I have not the heart to calculate how many of these I will have to make to have an afghan worth... So far I have enough to make a dishtowel.

Here is the beginning of my entry for the Knitting Challenge on Craftster. I am thinking 3/4 length sleeves, tunic length, as well as garter stitch lace v neck. We shall see what happens as I have never attempted to knit anything for myself without a pattern. The yarn is Caron Simply Soft -color soft yellow (this pic is a bit washed out...the color is a bit brighter) Size 6 needles.
Icarus is poking right along. I am almost to the end of the first skein. Lace looks so small and pitiful while on the needles.
Twinkletoes seemed like such an awesome idea. I knew The Girl Wonder would love them. I loved the pics on Knitty...maybe I am not getting gauge, perhaps I am reading the pattern wrong. But this does not look like the ones pictured on Knitty.
So, I adapted them a bit. Fewer cast on stitches, shorter toe, no short row heel, single crochet around edge and crochet ties. This is my third attempt. Personally, I think they look more like ballet slippers, but who am I to say...at least they do not have a funky heel. They are still not quite right, but I am getting closer.
That is all the knitting for now. I have officially been blogging a year now, which is a major thing for me. Hobbies do not generally "stick" with me. My step-dad has told me time and again "I am so proud of you for sticking with knitting like you have...you are usually not the type to stick with things." I have never written in journals for more than a few pages, and here I am a year later still going strong! Thanks to all y'all that have left me such nice comments and good advice throughout the past year! I appreciate y'all more than you know!

2006 Finished Objects

Red Baby Shoes

Five Hour Baby Sweater

Pinwheel Baby Blanket

Pinky

Eve

Anthropologie Capelet

Lolita Legs

Elephant

Monkey

Clapotis

Somewhat Cowl

Saving Grace

Anthro. inspired

Swallowtail Shawl

Silk Corset Top

Modified Razor Cami

The Gaming One's Socks

Starsky

Nephew's Raglan

Miss Dashwood

Daisy Baby Hat

take two...

I just spent over an hour composing a post full of self-doubt and my computer froze and the post is gone...Is that the universe telling me to keep those thoughts to myself? perhaps. I have not the time or energy to try to recap it all. So no personal thoughts today. We are all probably better off. Perhaps I should start another blog for my ranting and self doubt and keep this one strictly knitting.

Needing motivation I have decided to join a Craftster Knitting Challenge. So far all is going well and I will give more details as my project progresses. I have also started a tessellating fish afghan to use up my acrylic stash. It is a fun project so far, very portable and I am really loving how the little fish are fitting together. I am weaving in the loose ends as I finish each fish so piecing together will not be so horrible. I will try to take pics tomorrow as it is dark now and we all know that my picture taking is sucky enough in daylight and downright craptastic at night....I blame the camera.

Twinkletoes is still waiting for it's mate. I really am not happy with the way the third attempt looks, but The Girl Wonder thinks they are cute, and she will not be wearing them to any beauty contests so I guess they will be fine. sigh. I hate "fine" I prefer "ohhh, those are awesome" but don't we all.

The Icarus Shawl is at that stage that I am really wishing the gnomes will complete the last pattern repeat for the first chart as I am bored with it....also, I realized I forgot a ssk about 8 rows back and can't decide if I want to ladder down and fix it or just do an extra ssk on the row I am on. No one would ever notice (except me that is). I do know I am not frogging those 8 rows because I can't bear to knit them again.

I hope y'all are keeping all your resolutions if you made them. I don't make new year resolutions...I make birthday resolutions...but I usually don't keep them either...

I just realized that in three days my blog will be 1 year old. I can't believe that I have stuck with it this long...as I am notorious for starting things but not sticking with them.

baby hat

Whew...Finally the holiday season is over! Althought this year was better than most, I was still so zapped by the festivities. I have been knitting (of course) but have been to tired to post. Here is a look at my latest FO

Just a cutesy baby hat, and in my opinion, the only way fun fur should ever be used. No pattern, Lion brand jiffy yarn, size 10.5 needles. Lazy daisy embroidered on each side and center back. I just braided yarn for the ties. This was a gift for one of the Gaming One's pregnant coworkers. Started and finished in one evening.

I also knit a loose version of Antifreeze for the Boy Wonder, but managed to misplace the pics, and he managed to misplace the hat less than a week after I made it (I have a suspicion it is at his great-grandparents house). Since the Boy wonder is all about anything ARMY I have been on the lookout for a varigated yarn that looked like camouflage. When I spied Bernat Camouflage I knew right away it was just what I needed. I do hate that it is acrylic, but it does serve its purpose and he loves it(well, he loved it before he lost it, anyway). I bought the yarn about two days before the Knitty came out, and after the boy saw the yarn and was asked what he wanted it to be knit into he specifically requested a "camouflage hat that covers my face so only the eyes show." I started with fewer stitches to fit his little pea head, but used the same construction. I liked the pattern not to mention that it took the guesswork out of coming up with a pattern myself and it was a quick and fairly easy knit! He wore it all day the day I finished it and insisted taking it with him where ever he went- nevermind the fact that it was over 65 degrees! Now that is some knitting love right there... and I must admit I smiled a little smile when he came inside all redfaced and sweaty after wearing his army hat. I would gladly knit that boy 100 hats for that kind of appreciation!

I have been working on Twinkletoes for The Girl Wonder but I can't get gauge so I am tweeking the pattern. My first one ended up being big enough to fit a ladies size 10. Although my girl has big feet (already a size 8 and she is only 10yo!) they were a bit too floppy.

My Icarus Shawl is progressing rather slowly, but it is getting longer and longer.

That is all for now, sorry for any typos, as my brain is still on the mushy side and my fingers feel as if I am trying to type with big thick winter gloves.

oh yeah, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

No more angst!

remember this post all about how the holidays fill me with dread and despair? Well, I decided about a week later that I was going to make things better...We pared down our holiday gift giving and declined a few party invites. These two things alone reduced my stress level. Then, I decided that the kids and I would make all our Christmas tree decorations. We spent a week making a few ornaments each day all the while blaring the Christmas carols and singing along. We decided to stay home Christmas morning and let the kids enjoy their gifts. Best of all, my Dad is coming over on Christmas to have breakfast and the Girl Wonder will be here! My Dad and I had a long talk and I realized he was feeling the same way about the holiday season. But this year it will be better, the lines of communication have been opened. The tree is up and decorated (even though the cat has taken every ornament off the tree that he can reach-it just gives us a chance to change the look of the tree everyday). The presents have been purchased and are mostly wrapped. I can honestly say that I am happy and not just pretending. I am also the proud owner of a this new cell phone that my Santa baby gave me as an early Christmas present. Happy Holidays indeed! and it is about damn time!

Miss Dashwood

The Gaming One came home from work a few nights ago and asked
if I minded knitting something for one of his pregnant co-workers. I was more than happy to, of course.

Him:Maybe you can knit her a blanket or something?
Me: That would be fine. When is she due?
Him: Any day now, you better get to knitting.
Me(inner voice): and you are just now realizing this?! You should have mentioned this months ago if you wanted her to have a blanket!
Me: I know a hat that would be perfect!

Info...
Pattern: Miss Dashwood, Knitty
yarn: Knit Picks Shine, color: Cloud- hat worked 2 strands held together throughout. Earflaps, crochet edging and i-cords are worked with a single strand.
needles: size6 circs to top of bobble band, size5 dpn's for crown, earflaps, i-cord.
mods: worked a single crochet trim on earflaps, worked i-cord for straps. no buttons inside the hat.

The Picot cast-on seemed to take forever, as did the bobble band! They were both new techniques for me, I guess that could contribute to the slow going. I am really happy with this little hat and have been waiting for an excuse to knit it!

four things

1. My first skein is almost dry!

2. Busted!

3. The Girl Wonder's reproduction of The Birth of Venus (Botticelli) hanging in out bathroom.
4. Hmmm...this looks kinda familiar.

Bravely facing addiction

of the fiber variety....last week I could fight it no longer. After months of comparison shopping and longing, I suffered a weak moment and finally ordered a learn to spin kit from the nice peeps at Webs. I knew it would be arriving in the mail yesterday because I had been tracking it's progress to my house daily. I also knew it would be at my house around 6pm 'cause that is when Big Brown rolls through the 'hood. So ya'll know time seemed to stand still from the hours of 3 and 6, but finally it arrived! I am hooked already! After about 15 minutes I had it figured out. The Boy Wonder even had a go at it. Although he thought it looked like fun, he was bored with it after a minute. Not me! I spun all night and by midnight I had this...
It is so satisfying, so calming...and I thought I loved knitting! I feel as though I must have done this in a past life because it really seems to just flow from my fingers.

Necia asked yesterday to explain my twisting stitches technique. (girl, I know you want to finish Starsky!) So here goes my best attempt.

2-st RC: Slip the two sts to be twisted off your left hand needle. Holding first stitch to the back, slip it onto the left hand needle. Now slip the second stitch onto the left hand needle (it should have crossed in front of the other stitch). Knit both stitches.

2-st LC: Slip the two sts to be twisted off your left hand needle. Holding first stitch to the front, slip it onto the left hand needle. Now slip the second stitch onto the left hand needle (it should have crossed behind the other stitch). Knit both stitches.

2-st RPC: Slip the two sts to be twisted off your left hand needle. Holding first stitch to the back, slip it onto the left hand needle. Now slip the second stitch onto the left hand needle (it should have crossed in front of the other stitch). Purl both stitches.

2-st LPC: Slip the two sts to be twisted off your left hand needle. Holding first stitch to the front, slip it onto the left hand needle. Now slip the second stitch onto the left hand needle (it should have crossed behind the other stitch). Purl both stitches.

1/1 RPC: Slip the two sts to be twisted off your left hand needle. Holding first stitch to the back, slip it onto the left hand needle. Now slip the second stitch onto the left hand needle (it should have crossed in front of the other stitch). K1, P1.

1/1 LPC: Slip the two sts to be twisted off your left hand needle. Holding first stitch to the front, slip it onto the left hand needle. Now slip the second stitch onto the left hand needle (it should have crossed behind the other stitch). P1, K1.

Thanks so much for all the kind comments about Starsky! Ya'll really made my day!

FO's: Starsky & Nephew's Raglan

Info: Starsky
Needles: Size US 10.5
Yarn:Knitpicks Merino Style
Color: Moss (color truest in top pic), 9 skeins
Mods: Buttons instead of belted
Favorite.Knit.Ever!
Info: Little raglan for newest nephew (now 3 mo. old!)
Pattern:None
Needles:Sz US4 dpn
Yarn:KnitPicks Shine
Color:Cloud (I am not exactly sure how many skeins it took, because the yarn was from a failed attempt at a Somewhat Cowl.)

I started and finished both of these during the month of November.

On blocking and seaming

So ya'll know I blocked Starsky yesterday. I gently gave the pieces a handwashing... smooshed out the water, all the while being very careful not to stretch the pieces out of shape while moving to a thirsty towel. I rolled everything up and and pressed to get the extra water out. I then moved to the bedroom to block it undisturbed on my bed. When I unrolled the towel and laid out the sleeves I almost vomited. Ya'll, my sleeves went from being about 26" to 37". I looked in disbelief at those long, long sleeves and really wanted to cry. I may have even uttered a fuck or two. I looked again at the pattern to see how short they should be...I wa snot to happy to see the 21" measurement. So I smushed the stitches and patted, and smushed and patted and still they were long enough to fit monkey arms. Then I went a bit crazy and got my hair dryer. I planned to shrink those bitches. So I blew and smushed and patted and still they were nowhere near 21"-much closer to 26". I looked at my pattern again to see if somehow I misread my pattern, that is when I realized the 21" measurement was only to the armpit...it did not include the sleeve cap. DOH. So I pinned everything down and left it to dry. A few hours later my whole room reeked of wet sheep. I had to spray Oust before I could even go in there to sleep, it was that bad.
Today all the pieces were dry and I settled in to seam. I want this sweater to be perfect and all my attempts at attaching the sleeve left them looking homemade-and not in a good way. I finally decided I needed bright light, quiet and a stiff drink. So I sat on my front steps and enjoyed the beautiful day while seaming my sweater. Mattress stitch never ceases to amaze me! The stitches came together as if pulled by an invisible zipper. After about two hours all I had to show for my efforts was one sleeve attached and one side seam sewn, but boy, oh boy, those seams are beautiful (if I do say so myself). I do think I will have this sweater finished by the end of the month, which was my original goal. I think it just might be my favorite knitted garment yet!

Thanks for the perspective

I have to start by saying a big THANK YOU to each of you for your kind words and advice in response to my last post. Reading your comments really helped lift me from my funk before it got the best of me! I am amazed how much better I feel just getting it out and having just a few people tell me that it is ok and even normal to feel the way I do. Ya'll are great!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....
I finished knitting Starsky last night! Woo hoo! Now on to the blocking and sewing of the seams. I cannot wait to try it on and show it off! Off to block!

Thus begins the holiday angst...

Warning: If you are one of those "let's shop til we drop the day after Thanksgiving, then go home and decorate the entire house for Christmas" types, you may not want to read this....but I gotta get it out.

I admit it, I HATE the holiday season. From Thanksgiving until the New Year I am stressed, in a horrible mood and filled with guilt. The pressure to smile and sing christmas carols and shop for everyone, and their cousin, I could really do without. This goes back to my childhood I suspect. My parents divorced when I was 8 so I was ferried around to see all the relatives, a little time with dad, a little time with mom, not enough time with either, oh yeah, don't forget about all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and other extended family we only see twice a year. The guilt I felt having to tell my dad goodbye on Christmas eve, knowing he would spend christmas morning without his kids. I spent a lot of time pretending to smile and be happy all the while wondering what the other parent was doing without me. Never really embracing the true holiday spirit.

Now I am grown, and have a family of my own, I still feel the crushing pressure to see everyone, but only for an hour, cause we have other places to be. I hate that christmas is a big gimmie gimmie holiday- a contest to see who can go the deepest in debt. I resent the fact that I can't just stay home with my little ones and drink hot chocolate by the fire. I resent the fact that I still feel the need to do everything everyone expects, all the while ignoring my own needs and wishes.

Now that I am older, and share custody of my daughter with her dad, I realize how miserable my own dad must have been christmas after christmas away from his babies. But he never complained, he never let us know how much he missed us, never let on how sad he was, how lonely. It has only been since I have had my own babies that my step-mom told me how depressed he would be during the holidays. How he really missed me and my brother. To this day he is distant, only lives 15 minutes away, but we never see eachother. I don't know what to do. I have no idea how to mend our relationship. I did not even talk to him or see him yesterday. Part of me just wants to let it go, but most of me can't. I love him despite it all. Last year, right around Christmas, he and my step-mom seperated and it kills me to think how lonely he must be. But still he does not call. I would love for him to come over on Christmas morning and have breakfast, watch the kiddos open presents, but then reality sets in. More than likely, one of my kiddos will be with her dad and his family, and her absence will be a blaring reminder of christmas past.

Since I left her dad, I have always let the Girl Wonder decide where she wants to go for the holidays. I have told her to spend time with who she wants and not feel guilty about her decision. I refuse to let extended family lay a guilt trip on her when she is not where they want her to be. She usually spends more of the holidays with her dad, he is still single and The Girl Wonder knows he needs her, she knows how lonely the holidays can be and she does all she can to fill his with joy. For this I am truly proud. I want to protect her from the guilt, the back and forth, the too-many-holiday-feasts-in-one-day that I had to endure. I want to let her enjoy the season that is meant to be filled with joy.

I feel like the grinch, and then feel guilty. My kids deserve a happy momma during the holidays... they love the decorations, the songs, presents, all the family and yummy deserts. I wish I could just see christmas through their eyes, and feel the joy they feel, instead of the dread and disgust with it all. It seems like such hypocracy- celebrating a holiday for a religion I do not even believe in. Simply because it is a tradition. I realize I am very fortunate to have such a large and loving extended family, fortunate to have so much to eat, so much of everything. I appreciate it, don't get me wrong, but sometimes it is just too much for me. Too much noise, so many expectations and I constantly feel like I am failing miserably. I don't get joy from shopping for things that are expected. Last year, I asked my family to donate to a charity instead of shopping for me...no one did. How can I ask for what I really want?- a quiet day at home, no hustle, no bustle, no one expecting me to be cheery and eat yet another holiday feast. I can't ask for that, it would be too selfish, and I realize that, so I just put on my fake holiday cheer, and pour myself another martini. Bah humbug.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is wishing ya'll a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!



This has to be the best cake ever! I should know since I have made three this week. It is as tasty as it looks, and the family has requested I make it for every family gathering.

Just a few thing I am thankful for...
love of friends and family, health, a warm home, great food, refreshing beverages of the adult variety, and of course, knitting.

knitting content to come soon!

Starsky is coming along quite nicely. I stopped using a cable needle after the first pattern repeat on the back. Instead I am just slipping the stitches to be cabled off the needle, twisting them, then knitting or purling (based on where I am in the pattern). I was going crazy picking up the cable needle every few stitches and it was really slowing me down. Now the stitches are flying off the needles, pleasing me to no end! Back is finished, front right has two inches to go! At this rate I will be casting on for the sleeves by this weekend! I plan on working both sleeves at the same time. I am also entertaining the idea of putting buttons on this instead of knitting the belt. I will have to see how it looks after the front is finished to see if it will be possible. Any Ideas?
After seeing my adorable newest nephew in a snuggly cotton sweater last weekend I decided to use the Shine I had on hand from the frogged Somewhat Cowl to make him a little raglan. He has a giant head for such a little young'un (41cm) so I decided to put a few buttons at the neckline so it will be a little easier to put on. I am not using a pattern for this, nor did I measure him, so I am just kinda hoping it fits. I am going to babysit him tomorrow while his mama goes for a job interview so I can try it on him then. I have to admit it is a bit fun knitting this little sweater on dpn's...
I have abandoned all hope of knitting a complex blanket for this same little guy, and he is going to have to be content snuggling this boring garter stitch blankey instead. At least there is love in the stitches.

On a non-knitting related note I watched Click last night with The Gaming One. I love Adam Sandler movies and this was no exception. Some parts were quite touching and I had to reach for the tissues more than once. Mr. Sandler is all grown up (ok well, almost all grown up-he retains his childish sense of humor) and shows a bit of his range as an actor. It led to some snuggling and a sweet exchange of words between The Gaming One and I. Do yourself a favor and watch it with your sweetie (especially if you have kids).

Thank you Socktoberfest!

Without you, Socktoberfest, I may have never gained the motivation to finish these socks!
Pattern: Universal toe-up sock formula from Knitty.
Needles: us size 1 dpn
Yarn: KnitPicks Essential sock yarn colors Grass and Cocoa
Thoughts: I was consumed with Second Sock Syndrome, as the first sock took about a month to knit. However, since I am a joiner, I figured the last week of Socktoberfest would be the perfect time for me to crank out the second sock and it was! I finished binding off when I woke on Nov 1 (Halloween seriously cut into my knitting time!) Although The Gaming One would not have picked these colors for himself-I think he referred to them as either Dr. Seuss Socks or Willy Wonka Socks because of the colors- he really does love them! The yarn did soften considerably after washing (machine wash and dry-I will hand knit socks for him, but there is no way I am handwashing them!) and did not shrink a bit. I knit them a bit short, since he always pushes his socks down, in plain stockinette stitch. I finished with a 1" 3k1p rib cuff and a sewn bind-off for an extra-stretchy opening for his giant feet!

I cast on for Starsky this past week and am loving it so far! After knitting solid for a week on Sz 1 needles, the 10.5 I am using for this makes it seem like the stitches are flying off the needles! It is a nice change to knit 10 rows and add two and a half inches to my work instead of the measly inch I was getting with the sz.1. I am using KnitPicks Merino Style color Moss and it is heavenly! So soft, so cuddly I can't wait to wear this one! My only gripe about this pattern is that the leaf pattern does not grow from the ribbed section beautifully. It seems that there is no "flow" from one to the other, but the chart is easy to follow, mistakes are easy to see and fix. I am really getting the hang of finding a mistake in my knitting and instead of frogging back to the mistake, I knit to the mistake, unravel the ladder of stitches until I get to the problem, then pick the stitches back up with a crochet hook. Easy peasy! I hope to have this finished by the end of November...

Better late than never

In honor of "Socktoberfest" I have decided to finish The Gaming One's socks. I had the dreaded SSS (second sock syndrome) since the first was finished. I guess the planets aligned or something and I finally sat down and cast on for the second two days ago. I am half finished with the sole and hubby is amazed how quickly they are "coming to life". He lends encouragement when I put them down, saying things like "Woman, those socks aren't going to knit themselves!" and "My poor feet are so cold, and since I only have one sock, I guess I will have to decide which one gets to be warm!" all the while looking pitiful! I told him there will be no more hand knit socks in his future until he wears holes in this pair!
In other knitting news, I frogged my entire Somewhat Cowl. I had the body and both sleeves finished, but just could not knit a neckline I liked. I was trying to modify the pattern, since I am not too fond of what would have been a heavy cotton cowl. It was actually easier (emotionally) to frog all the progress than I thought it would be. Besides, with winter quickly approaching here in NC I would not have been able to wear it anyway. A warm, wooly cardigan for myself will replace the Somewhat Cowl in my knitting basket and keep my Lovely Lacy Shawl company. I am thinking I will buy the pattern book the shawl was published in so I can knit from a chart instead of those long line by line instructions. Oh yeah, and some size 2 circs. I am hoping then it will fly off my needles! That is all the time I have for now, as The Boy Wonder really needs someone to play army with! Is it bad that a 5yo talks about snipers, flame throwers, grenades, securing the area, holding back enemy forces and the ins and outs of winning a war? I am hoping it is just a boy thing, although he assures me he is practicing for when he is in the army so he will be really good and be able to defeat the enemy. I guess I need to prepare my pacifist heart!

My celebrity look-alikes

I have been seeing this everywhere and thought I would give it a go...

Swallowtail Shawl from IK fall '06

Yarn: Knit Picks Memories (100% Merino Wool; color Redwood Forest), 2 Skeins.
Needles: size 4 circs
This was a super simple knit, and my first complete lace project! I did not use lifelines for this as the pattern was very easy to memorize and mistakes were easy to see. I did forget a few yarnovers, but could easily pick them up on the next row with a crochet hook making this a fun, stress-free knit! I probably could have stretched this a bit more while blocking if I had blocking wires, but alas I have none and had to use pins. All told it took 2 and a half weeks to knit, and an hour to pin for blocking!
The nupps did not present a problem, although they did slow me down a bit (purl 5 together is quite a fiddley stitch!)This is actually a gift for a very understanding secret pal. I hope she likes it along with her other gifts.

I don't want to jinx it, but...

I finally knit a section of the Lovely Lacy Shawl without having to rip back to my lifeline! Since my last post I finished the third and fourth sections of the pattern...I also realized there are actually 8 sections to the pattern, but since one section is only 2 rows, it really does not make much of a difference. I am FINALLY able to look at a previous row and realize at that moment if the next stitch is the one that fits....I am no longer blindly following the pattern, stitch by stitch, preying that I won't look down five rows and notice a mistake. That being said, I will probably have a screaming fit after making a stupid mistake the next time I pick it up. I really hope it stretches a lot during blocking 'cause it is really looking small. I mean, I am petite (realized yesterday my 10yo Girl Wonder only weighs about 15lbs less than I do) but now it looks like it might fit a child much to young to be gifted a hand-knit lace shawl...

My Somewhat Cowl is also rapidly growing. I am now half finished with the optional waist decreases. I am beginning to think I should try this one on before moving along just to make sure it is gonna fit. This is the official tv watching project, easy-peasy lemon squeesy.

I am finally to the cuff of The Gaming One's first sock. It has become the official traveling project to ensure I finish it. Since I do not drive and all my family realizes I am knitting obsessed and no longer takes offense when I knit in their company, this can be quite a chunk of time. While at my Momma's house (knitting) I realized a few things...
1. I could have realistically knit The Gaming One the cardigan that he asked for in the time it is going to take me to knit these socks. I honestly thought they would be finished by now. I mean, come on, a month!?
2. He will never wear them outside the house because well, they are green...and wool.
3. If all else fails he can use them as christmas stockings. They honestly look that big. Fr reference sake, I have almost used the entire skein (231 yds.) of KnitPicks Essential (minus the heel and toe) for the first sock on sz 1 dpn's.

Here's what's happening in the greenhouse. Angracum is finally blooming after 4-5 years of thinking it would never bloom again. Darwin made a a really astute prediction about butterflies when he first laid eyes on Angracum. (You have to scroll down the page to the pictures of the flowers to see what what he thought.)

This oncidium smells like chocolate.

and since I love haiku...

the stanhopea

hovers bird-like in hopes of

sweet pollination

It is always a treat when this blooms because besides the fact that it's pollinator in the wild are birds, (hence the bird like shape-see the little eye?) they bloom from the bottom of the basket and the flower only lasts a day.

no blogging does not mean no knitting!

I have been knitting up a storm since I last blogged. The past month has been crazy around here. We spent one week in the mountains for the Gaming One's annual family reunion. The Girl Wonder explored her thrill seeking side by jumping off a bridge into one of the local rivers! She was at least 15 feet above the water. I told her that if she jumped I would...however, I lied! That water was so cold I did not even put my toes in. She jumped with her uncle instead, twice! She was so proud of herself and immediatly wanted to do it again!
Our return home marked the official start of our school year! The kiddos are homeschooled and this year the Boy Wonder started kindergarten, so that means a bit more on my plate, teaching wise. I do not know how those ladies that have large homeschooling families do it! my hat is off to y'all. Just two weeks into our school year the in-laws invited me and the kids to spend a week with them at their beach house! One of the many perks of homeschooling...the flexibility!
The water was nice and warm, I got lots of knitting time in and the kids were well behaved! We survived the first hurricane of the season while there...it was very exciting as there was no damage just lost of wind and rain...PawPaw took the kids to the beach as the storm was approaching to check out the waves in the pouring rain, of course they thought it was cool to say they were on the beach during the hurricane! So now that we are all caught up on to the knitting!
First the FO's! First off is the Silk Corset Top. This has to be my favorite knit EVER! It is everything I hoped it would be and more! Pattern: Silk Corset Top
Size: medium-I could have knit a smaller size, I think the top lace section would be a bit more snug, but it is very comfy!
needles: size 4 circs
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted-mc= bachelor's button, cc=cloud

Pattern:Razor cami Needles:size 4 circs Yarn:Knit Picks Shine-mc=orchid, cc=cloud

mods:I wanted a more bra-friendly option, so I knit the front of the top section in stockinette stitch starting with a yo, k2tog round just below the boobline and ending with the same ribbing pattern from the bottom. On the back I continued the ribbing for the bottom. I crocheted around the arm and neck holes for a more finished look. I also crocheted a chain to thread throught the eyelets created by the yo, k2togs. However, I ran out of yarn so it is not bra-friendly at all. Now I have a sexy cami to wear around the house for The Gaming One. The straps could be a bit shorter, but there is no way in hell I am taking out all the crochet edging to fix it. All told I really like it.

Now for the UFO's
Fetching in alpaca laceweight held double.












I finished another section of the Lovely Lacy Shawl. 2 sections down, 5 to go!












Last night I cast on the Shelia Capelet...I am using much smaller needles than the pattern calls for (sz 8 instead of sz11) and did not check my gauge, so this may be frogged or I may have to add a few pattern repeats...I really just wanted to see how this yarn knit up... I knit this pattern before with a white mohair-like acrylic over a year ago. Looking at it now I can see all the mistakes I made then and how far my knitting has progressed...that was also before I realized that there was such a thing as wool that was not itchy...mmmm merino

Socks for The Gaming One using this Knitty pattern. My foot is there for reference...If these were for me they would be finished by now. Not to mention it took at least 6 hours (and three attempts) to successfully turn the heel. By the second attempt I was seriously doubting my knitting ability, then I picked up an Interweave Knits and followed their directions for short rows and all was well with the world! I am not a moron after all, I just could not wrap my brain around the knitty directions. Does anyone know if Knit Picks Essential softens up a bit in the wash?


I also started a Somewhat Cowl for myself...I plan on knitting it with shorter sleeves than the pattern calls for and less of a cowl.










I am also making another attempt in knitting a fabulous baby blanket for my newest nephew! The blanket is five months in the making and I have had many false starts, as of today I am about 15 rows into it...could it be that I just hate it because it is knit with acrylic?